If you’ve ever wondered how a little slice of Ireland ended up in Granbury, pull up a chair—this is a story best told over a pint.
It All Started With a Trip (and a Dream)
Kevin and Mary didn’t just wake up one day and decide to open a pub. It started with their honeymoon trip to Ireland, where they fell in love with the pubs—not just the Guinness, but the whole vibe. “After we got married in 2014, we went to Ireland and hit a few pubs while we were there. So, we went back multiple times doing what we call “research!”, said Kevin.
Family Roots and Irish Connections
Kevin’s family came from Galway, Ireland to Boston, which is practically Ireland’s American cousin. After digging into family history, he found a cousin still in Galway. The Irish roots run deep, and you can feel it in every corner of the Pub.
Building the Pub: Not Just a Bar, But a Home
Bar in progress
When it came time to build the pub, Kevin and Mary didn’t want just another bar. We wanted a place that felt like the pubs they love in Ireland. Mary actually sketched out the bar and snugs and with the help of their very talented carpenter friend, it all came to life. They almost didn’t make it in, but their builder knew how much they mattered. “You can’t have a real authentic pub without at least one snug,” Mary told me. The bar was built right inside the pub, piece by piece, and now it’s the showpiece when you walk in. There’s even a hand-painted mirror with their name on it—done by a local artist.
Every Piece Has a Story
What’s really cool is how every piece of decor in the pub has a story. Some things came from their travels, some from their own home, and a lot from folks around Granbury and the surrounding areas, family treasures, antiques, and even firefighter helmets and jackets donated by local fire departments and retired firefighters. There’s an “honor wall” for first responders and military, inspired by the tradition in Irish pubs to honor American service members and Irish American service members. People come from all over just to bring patches and challenge coins to add to the collection.
Honoring Heroes: The Heartfelt Tradition at Pub McDonough
One of the first things you’ll notice when you walk into Pub McDonough— besides the cozy snugs and the smell of something delicious cooking – is the wall…It’s not just a decoration; it’s a living tribute, and it’s got a story as rich as the Pub itself. Kevin and Mary told me that honoring service members is a tradition. “If you go to any pub in Ireland, you’ll see patches, photos, and all sorts of military memorabilia,” Kevin explained. “It’s just something pubs do—they support their heroes.”
When they first opened, the local fire departments and retired firefighters donated four helmets and four jackets. Those were the very first pieces on the wall, and they set the tone for what would become a growing collection. Now, the honor wall is filled with patches, challenge coins, and photos from all over—not just Texas, but from across the country and even the world. People come in just to bring something special to add to the collection.
It’s not just firefighters and police, either. The wall honors military, first responders, and anyone who’s served. Mary pointed out that in Ireland, pubs are full of tributes to service members—even photos from 9/11 and pieces of steel from the Twin Towers. “It’s a proud history,” she said. “And we wanted to share that with people here, because not everyone knows about it, but they want to support.”
The Pub Is All About People
But it’s not just about the stuff, it’s about the people. Kevin and Mary wanted a place where you could sit down, lose track of time, and actually talk to strangers. There’s no Wi-Fi, and the TV only comes on for big games. The idea is to get folks chatting, laughing, and maybe even making new friends. And it works—locals who didn’t know each other now come in and sit together like old pals.
They’ve had visitors from all over—Wales, Australia, South Africa, and yes, Ireland. The best compliment? A woman from Shannon, Ireland, walked in and got emotional because it felt just like home.
The Little Details Make It Real
Even the wear and tear on the tables is part of the charm. “We want the wear and tear,” Kevin said. “A few people have said, ‘It’s too clean and nothing’s broken to be an Irish pub!’” It’s got that real pub aroma—beer, homemade food, and a hint of peat from the fireplace. People even ask to light the fire when it’s 80 degrees outside, just for the atmosphere.
More Than a Pub—It’s a Community
From the regulars who come in every Wednesday to sit by the fire and laugh, to the folks who donate family heirlooms for the décor, Pub McDonough is more than a business—it’s a community and neighborhood hangout. It’s a place where you can walk in alone and leave with new friends, where every seat has a story, and where the spirit of Ireland is alive and well in the heart of Texas.
So next time you’re in Granbury, swing by Pub McDonough. Grab a seat by the fire (if you can snag one!), soak up the stories, and enjoy a pint in a place built on friendship, family, and a whole lot of heart.
Interviewed and written by Rhiannon Moline, Skylark Marketing